Michael Essien is on the verge of joining AC Milan on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The Ghana international, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, is set to pen an 18-month contract at the San Siro. If he joins the Serie A side he will become Clarence Seedorf’s first signing as AC Milan manager.
The 31-year-old is another player who has found chances at Chelsea limited due to the fierce competition in midfield, especially with younger players Ramires and Mikel doing well in the defensive midfield role.
Essien has started only twice in the Premier League this season and the additional signings of Matic and the potential signing of Salah from Basel seem to have been a bridge too far.
The Rossoneri have struggled this year; they are currently 11th in Serie A and have just appointed Clarence Seedorf as manager, who replaced Massimilliano Allegri just under a fortnight ago.
Despite their league position they still have plenty of talent in midfield with Kaka, Nigel De Jong, Keisuke Honda and Sulley Muntari all plying their trade for the Milan club, but the acquisition of Essien would be a real signal of intent for the club.
Essien arrived in Italy today
Essien arrived in Milan on Friday evening and spoke to the Milan Channel: “I’m happy to be here. I will do my best for Milan and I hope to be ready to play.
“I spoke with Mr (Clarence) Seedorf (the Milan head coach) two days ago. I cannot wait to be available. I really want to thank the chairman and the team and thanks to Jose Mourinho, who has allowed me to wear the Rossoneri shirt.”
Chelsea boss Mourinho was asked about Essien’s future ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup tie against Stoke:
“Michael Essien is in a position at the moment where he can go or he can stay,” he said. “If he stays we will be more than happy. He is a fantastic club man and a fantastic team player. But if something big comes for him he is another one who we feel we must show the respect, and to show him the respect is not to stop him from going.”
AC Milan said in a statement on their website: “Just turned 31 and with a CV including domestic title and Champions League wins as well as victory with the Ghana national side, Michael Essien is expected in the city this evening.”
Essien is another Chelsea player who made his name in Ligue 1. His move to Lyon in 2003 established him as one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in world football.
He won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award prior to signing for Chelsea for a then club-record fee of £24.4m in the summer of 2005. He departs Stamford Bridge with eight major trophies to his name and despite the limited success over the years due to a career threatening knee injury, he will go down as one of Chelsea’s best players.
